After the AFL changed the Match Review Panel to a single Match Review Officer in Michael Christian in late 2017, many expected a more clear and concise adjudication system in 2018.
However, these decisions caused real controversy among the public this season.
Here are some of the incidents that had the whole footy world talking!
1. Andrew Gaff strikes Andrew Brayshaw
Obviously the biggest suspension of the season warrants the biggest controversy. Gaff was sent straight to the tribunal for striking Andrew Brayshaw well off the ball in the Western Derby late in the season.
Andrew Brayshaw left the ground bleeding from the mouth after an incident involving Andrew Gaff.#AFLEaglesFreo pic.twitter.com/ECZgNqiehg
— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2018
Before the match had even ended, debate raged once again of the AFL's need to introduce a send off rule and the length of punishment Gaff should have received.
Journalist Caroline Wilson saidย "I'd be amazed if it's anything less than 10 weeks."
Before the hearing the public deliberated over the incident and the AFL Tribunal came to a decision of eight weeks. The suspension meant Gaff would miss the entirety of the finals as his side pushes for a potential Grand Final berth.
Melbourne champion Garry Lyon believed Gaff had gotten off light.
'I think eight weeks was at the bottom end of the scale from my own personal point of view," he said on AFL 360.
